Robin and Stu Phillips are members of World Vision's National Leadership Council. This is their story.

Although she was raised in a family that did not have an active faith, God was faithful to meet Robin Phillips. When she was eleven, Robin’s heart was gripped by two questions, “Who am I?” and “Why was I born?” The search led her directly to Jesus. Reading Jesus’ words, in a “red letter” edition of the Bible, convinced Robin that she was to help the poor and vulnerable.

Julie Razwick is a member of World Vision's National Leadership Council. This is her story.

When World Vision would visit Julie Razwick’s church in Redmond, Washington, inviting church members to partner in the ministry through child sponsorship, she couldn’t resist sponsoring a new child each time.

Though she blamed it on their cute faces, God was planting seeds in Julie’s heart, one child at a time.

Lila and John Trull are members of World Vision's National Leadership Council. This is their story.

In 1999 Lila and John Trull, parents of three daughters, visited a Mexican orphanage with their church to relieve staff members in desperate need of a vacation. There a little boy named Fernando captured Lila’s heart. When they returned to the orphanage in 2002, the couple discovered that although they’d been praying for Fernando to be reunited with his family, he was still living in the orphanage. When the Trulls left Mexico, Lila told John that it would be too difficult to return unless it was to invite Fernando to become a part of their family. That very night, Lila was awakened by God’s voice saying, “Through love all things are possible.” Eight months later Fernando joined the Trull family.

Sandy and Jeff Grubb are members of World Vision's National Leadership Council. This is their story.

Over twenty years ago, as a married father of three living in Portland, Jeff Grubb was volunteering locally, but had an itch to get involved on a larger scale. When he contacted a friend at World Vision, he confessed, “Since I’m just a business person, I really don’t have skills to help the poor. But I’d like to become involved internationally.”

That phone call began a journey for the Grubb family that continues today.

Sherrie Woodring is a member of World Vision's National Leadership Council. This is her story.

After a robust twenty-six year career in the IT industry, Sherrie Woodring was exhausted from the demands of corporate America. Then, when her mother, Leila, suffered a severe stroke requiring full-time care, she moved in with Sherrie. Though the new journey was radically different than what Sherrie had accomplished professionally, the two discovered an unexpected satisfaction in their new life together.

Mary and Vic Jury are members of World Vision's National Leadership Council. This is their story.

“What would you do if someone gave you one million dollars?”

That’s the question that Mary Jury’s first-grade teacher posed to a classroom of six-year-olds. Mary’s hand shot up, and when the teacher called on her, she explained, “I’d hire a plane, fill it with food, and feed the poor.”

Carla and Dave Hillard are members of World Vision's National Leadership Council. This is their story.

Reading a book by Luci Swindoll, Carla Hillard learned about women and girls  in Kenya who walk miles every day to access water—dirty water!—their families needed for survival. As she read, Carla became convinced that God was calling her to witness firsthand the crisis these women faced. So when her pastor extended an invitation to go to Zambia, Carla and her husband Dave agreed to go.

Michelle Brouhard is a member of World Vision's National Leadership Council. This is her story.

A few years ago, Michelle Brouhard, who lives in New York City, worked through a Bible study on Nehemiah. As she did, she prayed for a heart that would be broken by that which breaks the heart of God. That vulnerable and dangerous prayer was, for Michelle, the beginning of an exciting adventure with God.

Erik and Mary Lou Fyrwald are members of World Vision's National Leadership Council. This is their story.

When Erik and Mary Lou Fyrwald were raising their three daughters, they felt strongly that they needed to give their girls the opportunity to serve among people who were materially poor. The family served in their home church, and also alongside local ministries, but they also longed to embrace and support an effort making a difference around the world.

In 2015, the couple participated in a Vision Trip to Tanzania to see firsthand the work World Vision was doing there.

Scott and Tracy Brunjes are members of World Vision's National Leadership Council. This is their story.

When Scott and Tracy Brunjes visited Myanmar, in Southeast Asia, they noticed that a local community gripped by poverty had a very modern school. Curious, they discovered the school had been funded by a French corporation.

Recognizing opportunity, Scott mused to his wife, “Wouldn’t it be great if we could do something with my company, and our foundation, to adopt a village like this?”